James said: "It's fantastic, the faith that the club have shown in me has been a confidence booster. But also there's an understanding of how the relationship between myself, the gaffer and the team is gelling. We'll keep looking forward, and I'm very happy."

Stuart Pearce, the Manchester City manager, believes that James remains one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership. He said: "His form over the last two years has prompted me to sit down and say, 'Where do I get a better goalkeeper than David James?'

Related Articles

"For me he's in the top six goalkeepers in the Premiership. In some ways he's played a big part in our defensive record over the last couple of years, and I fully expect that to go on for the duration of his contract."

Pearce added that he felt the England door was still open for James, saying that he had told him so personally as well as stating his opinion in public. "The basis of selection is always to play well for your club," the manager said.

Reports in Spain suggest that Manchester United are keen to sign the Real Madrid defender, Ivan Helguera. The player is out of contract at the end of the season and though he is keen to remain in Spain, Carlos Queiroz, the United assistant manager, is understood to have made inquiries regarding the 30-year-old's availability.

West Bromwich Albion have defended their decision not to allow injured midfielder Zoltan Gera to join Hungary for their final two World Cup qualifiers.

Gera will miss the games against Bulgaria on Saturday and Croatia four days later due to a persistent groin problem for which he is receiving specialist treatment following a scan.

Hungary cannot qualify for the 2006 finals whatever the outcome of their final two group matches and Gera remains a doubt for Albion's next Barclays Premiership game, against Arsenal at home on Oct 15.

West Bromwich director-secretary Dr John Evans said: "Our medical team has hidden nothing and has nothing to hide. It is very easy to sit 1,000 miles away and criticise but our medical staff have done everything by the book and by FIFA regulations."